Say you want a [r]evolution?

Lately there’s a lot of clamour for energy sources that can meet our electrical needs in the face of catastrophic climate change.

At the same time, this has also been taken up by the nuclear lobby in order to push forward their nuclear agenda on Philippine soil.

However, we here at Greenpeace believe that quick fixes, PR and rehash of old problems fall short of taking ‘genuine’ actions. Thus in the face of climate change, we here from what is known as the most-vulnerable least-prepared countries for climate impacts would like to push forward for a revolution!

An Energy [R]evolution!

In his song Quitin’ Time Robert Hoyt called on the people to: “Slam on the brakes and make a U Turn from the brink!”

No truer statement can be said of the Energy [R]evolution as the word ‘revolution’ itself comes from the Latin revolutio, “a turn around.” Thus by its nature it is a fundamental change in power structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time and now more than ever is a time for us to turn around from the destructive path of fossil fuel dependence.

The Energy [R]evolution is a rallying call to all of us to have a vision of a greener and peaceful future that is finally unbound from the spectre of runaway climate change.

It is about sharing the vision of a revolutionary way of producing, distributing and consuming our precious energy, in such a way that it would promote equity, lessen C02 emissions and push forward for a more sustainable way to live –a lifestyle that is in harmony with nature.

On the other hand this vision is obscured by the nuclear lobby in the energy sector that are pushing for government investment on nuclear power, by presenting it as a silver bullet solution to energy security, cheaper power rates and an alternative for coal.

When the true costs of nuclear energy are compared to the true benefits of renewable energy technologies, the choice is almost too obvious. In a world on a quest for energy security and solutions to climate change, investment in nuclear power makes little sense.

The real solutions to the energy security and climate change are available now. And nuclear power, the most dangerous and expensive source of electricity, is not in this equation. Instead, these solutions are ready to be delivered by renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The deployment of renewable power requires little to no fuel inputs in order to harness free and clean energy sources like the sun, wind, mini-hydro, geothermal and modern biomass which are widely available throughout the country.

The potential for renewable energy in the Philippines is vast and far greater than that of nuclear power or fossil fuels. Wind and solar energy plants in Ilocos Norte and Cagayan de Oro are already showing that these solutions are working. But we need more. Our renewable energy potential unfortunately remains largely untapped.

Any effective response to energy demand in a world facing climate change involves enormous expansion in our use of renewables and a complete abandonment of nuclear power. Our policy makers should move on from promoting expensive, outdated and dangerous nuclear systems.

That is why in response to this we are going out to sow the seeds of the Energy [R]evolution, as over the weekend we have started our Energy [R]evolution road show starting with Pangasinan as earlier this year its provincial board members have voted 7 to adopt a resolution on the construction of nuclear power plants from South Korea along the province’s coastline.